Quick answer
A floorball powerplay is the period when your team has more players on the floor than the opponent because of a penalty. To use it well, you need a simple structure, quick ball movement, a shooter who is free, and a player in front of the goal who creates traffic. Train it with a 5 against 4 set-up, a few fixed patterns and clear roles, and practise recovery after a turnover.
Key takeaways
- Powerplay success comes from quick passes and moving defenders, not from complex plays.
- Give every player a role: shooter, passer, screen/rebounder and a safety player behind.
- Use the width of the floor to pull the defence apart before you shoot.
- Practise two or three patterns until they are automatic, rather than ten you half-know.
- Always plan the transition: what happens if the opponent wins the ball?
- Rehearse in small-sided formats first, then increase to game speed.
What is a powerplay in floorball?
When a player receives a time penalty, their team plays one player short and the opposing team has a powerplay for the length of the penalty. In practice this means a 5 against 4 situation in outfield players. The attacking team has an extra player, which means that, if the ball moves quickly, someone is always free. The defending team tries to stay compact in a box and block lanes (see our guide to boxplay).
The most common mistake I see is that teams on the powerplay stand still and wait for a perfect shot. The ball should move faster than the defenders can shift. Passes should be one-touch or two-touch, and players should move after passing.
Which formations work?
| Formation | Shape | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3-1 | One high, three in a line across the middle, one in front of the goal | Wide passing lanes, shooter in the middle, screen in front | Gaps behind the line if the ball is lost |
| 2-2-1 | Two at the back, two in the slots, one at the goal | Safe, good for rebounds | Can become static |
| 1-2-2 | One at the back, two wide, two close to the goal | More presence in front of the net | Fewer shooting lanes from distance |
No formation wins on its own. What matters is how well players rotate, pass and shoot from it. Choose one that fits your players and stay with it for a while.
What principles should every powerplay follow?
- Move the ball quickly. A pass that arrives fast and is released fast beats a defender who is still shifting.
- Use width. Pass to the sides to stretch the defence, then switch to the centre.
- Create a screen. A player in front of the goal blocks the keeper's view and is ready for rebounds.
- Shoot to score or to create a rebound. Every shot is useful when someone is waiting for the rebound.
- Keep a safety player. One player stays back so a lost ball does not create a breakaway.
- Be patient but decisive. Hold the ball until a lane opens, then shoot within a second.
Which drills build a strong powerplay?
1. Quick Passing Square (8 minutes)
Four players pass around a square of 6 x 6 m with one defender in the middle. After 10 passes the passer swaps with the defender. Add a one-touch limit. Cue: "Pass and move."
2. 3 Against 2 Attack (10 minutes)
Three attackers face two defenders and a goalkeeper. Attackers pass until a clear shooting lane appears. After each attack, rotate roles. It teaches numbers-up decisions.
3. 5 Against 4 Pattern Work (12 minutes)
Walk through your chosen pattern with no defenders, then add passive defenders, then full pressure. Run 90 seconds per round, then rotate so every player takes every role. Watch for: players who stop moving after the pass.
4. Screen and Rebound Game (8 minutes)
Two shooters shoot from the slots while one attacker stands in front of the goal. A goal off a rebound counts double. It trains the front player to find rebounds.
5. Lose the Ball, Recover (6 minutes)
Run 5 against 4 for 45 seconds. When the defence wins the ball, a coach whistles, and the attacking team must recover to defend 4 against 5 for 15 seconds. It trains transitions.
Coach Erik's tip: Time the powerplay in practice. Start a stopwatch, let the team attack for the whole penalty, and count the shots on goal. Players love beating their own record, and it teaches them to stay patient rather than rush.
How can you train passing and shooting for the powerplay at home?
Players spend more time on the powerplay than they realise on passing and receiving. A rebounder helps practise first-touch passes. The Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149) has two slots for straight and volley passes, which is helpful for one-time passes and shots. The Extreme Floorball Passing Kit Tiles XL (€379) combines tiles and the Passer Pro in one package. For accuracy under the powerplay's tight lanes, add the Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) to a full-size goal. The tiles, passers and targets are Made in Europe, and the products are designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
For more passing ideas see passer drills and the one-timer.
How do you measure whether your powerplay is working?
Many teams say the powerplay "feels good" or "feels bad". A few simple numbers tell you much more. In practice and in games, track three things for each powerplay: shots, shots on target and the time to the first shot. You need only a notebook or a phone and one volunteer.
| Metric | How to count | Good sign |
|---|---|---|
| Shots per powerplay | All attempts, including blocked | Two or more in a two-minute period |
| Shots on target | Shots that reach the goalkeeper or the goal | More than half of the shots |
| Time to first shot | From the start of the powerplay | Under 30 seconds |
| Passes before the shot | Count the passes in the move | Three or four, not ten |
If the time to the first shot is long and the passes before the shot are many, the team is passing around the box without a plan. Add a rule in practice: a shot must be taken within five passes. If the shots are many but few are on target, spend a week on accuracy with targets in the corners. Cue: "Move the defence, then shoot." Watch for: judging the powerplay only by goals. Goals are rare and random, but shots and time to the first shot show whether your system creates chances.
Common mistakes
- Standing still. Fix: demand movement after every pass.
- Too many fancy plays. Fix: master two or three patterns.
- Shooting from poor angles. Fix: set a rule that a shot must come from a pass or a clear lane.
- No screen. Fix: assign a player to stand in front of the goal and fight for rebounds.
- Forgetting defence. Fix: practise recovery whenever you practise attack.
- Panicking near the end of the penalty. Fix: practise shots with the clock running down.
FAQ
How many players are on the floor in a floorball powerplay?
The attacking team has one more outfield player than the penalised team, which usually means 5 against 4 outfield players, each team with a goalkeeper.
What formation is best for a powerplay?
There is no single best formation. The 1-3-1 is popular for the passing lanes it creates, but the right choice depends on your players' strengths.
How much time should I spend on powerplay in practice?
Ten to fifteen minutes per week is enough for most teams. Repeat the same patterns so they become automatic.
How do I stop a powerplay from becoming predictable?
Give players options at each step: pass wide, shoot, or switch. Teach them to read the defence and choose.
Should the goalkeeper be involved?
Yes. Goalkeepers face many shots and rebounds during powerplay drills, so they get useful practice too.
Can youth teams use powerplay drills?
Yes, in simple form: 3 against 2 and 4 against 3 games teach the same principles. Skip complex patterns for younger groups.
Summary
A good powerplay is quick passing, movement, a screen and patience, practised in simple patterns until they are automatic. Train it in small formats, then at game speed, and always plan for the loss of the ball. More ideas await in our coaches hub.
